Category Archives: Men’s Health

I have to say I’m pretty shocked my home state, Wyoming, legalized same-sex marriage on October 17th of this year. Before that, it was announced that Utah and Colorado, two other states I hold dear to my heart, also legalized same-sex marriages. The freedom for every couple to marry is becoming a reality! I hope that North Dakota won’t be far behind all of this. As I am typing this, there are 32 states allowing same-sex marriage, and that number is bound to increase in the following months. To mark the occasion, this post will be about same-sex-sex and some of the questions people may have on the topic.

What is LGBTQ?

LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer. It has grown to encompass a wide group of people who don’t feel they belong in the heteronormative category. However, this term isn’t all inclusive as it leaves out various groups such as transsexuals, intersexes, asexuals, pansexuals, and many more. A lot of the other terms are included in the queer subset, as they don’t identify as a binary sexual subtype.

I’m a lesbian and have just become sexually active. Am I still at risk for STI’s?

Absolutely! Although transmission rates among lesbians tend to be lower, any time there is fluid transmission between mucous membranes, there is a risk. Also, if you happen to share any kind of sex toys, STI’s can be transmitted that way if the proper precautions aren’t taken.

I’m gay and want to be in a monogamous relationship but it seems that anyone else who is gay is promiscuous. Is there any hope for me?

Of course there is hope! Gay individuals are just as likely to want to be in a monogamous relationship as their heterosexual counterparts. Also, promiscuity has nothing to do with ones being gay or straight- what seems to be the problem here is ones perception of gay people due to a small minority that you’ve been in contact with.

I heard there is a pill that prevents HIV? Can I ditch the condoms?

A drug called PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, has been recently introduced that reduces the risk of contracting HIV infection in people by up to 92%. This is pretty significant and good for those in a high risk situation but let us consider a couple of things. The first thing is that condoms are both cheaper and more effective than PrEP. The second is that you have to be consistently taking PrEP for the medicine levels to be at an acceptable level in the blood. This isn’t something you can take right before a high risk activity and expect to be ok. There is also a post exposure drug (PEP) but these drugs are very expensive and are taken more than just once. While these preventative drugs are a good thing, don’t ditch the condoms just yet. Also, there are other STI’s that PrEP (and PEP) is completely ineffective with.

I heard that bi-sexuality is just a transitional phase for someone who hasn’t completely accepted that they are gay. Is there really such thing as bi-sexuality?

Yes, bi-sexuality is in fact a real thing and not a “transitional stage.” While there may be a time when some “explore” their sexuality, there are quite a large number of people who find themselves both sexually and emotionally attached to women and men. These individuals rightfully classify themselves as bisexual. So if you ever know anyone who calls themselves bisexual, just be respectful and don’t ask if they are ‘really just gay.’

Asking for consent before you engage in sexual activity is important because it will keep you and your partner comfortable and in control of what is going happening. When asking your partner for consent, there is no right or wrong way. You just have to say what feels most comfortable for you in the situation, whether that means you get straight to the point or sugar coat it. Some ways to ask for consent are:

Can I kiss you?

What are you comfortable with?

May I …?

Would you like to try this with me?

If you still feel unsure on what to say, just remember to ask exactly what you would like to do with your partner and get a yes or no answer. If your partner gives you a vague answer or seems hesitant on what to say, that may be a sign that they don’t want to engage in the activity. If that happens, tell your partner that it is okay if they don’t want to engage in that activity or anything at all.

Once you and your partner have given consent, that does not mean things can’t stop. You and your partner always have a right to say “no”, even if an agreement was made beforehand. Some examples of what a partner might be doing if they want you to stop are:

Lack of eye contact

No response

Discomfort or tensing up

Saying things like, “I’m not sure,” “I’m scared,” or “Wait, I…”

If your partner doesn’t show any of the signs listed above but you feel that they might want to stop, just ask. Overall, taking the time to pay attention to how your partner is responding will make them feel comfortable and respected.

It’ll also help you to know when you are doing something right because your partner is giving you “yes” signs. Some examples of a “yes” sign are:

Telling you to keep going

Directing you on how to do something

Telling you that they are okay with that

Just remember to ask for consent before engaging in any sexual activity, pay attention to the “yes” or “no” signals, and always stop if you or your partner don’t want to engage in the activity anymore.

If you are going to be sexually active, make sure you are always using protection. The only way to be 100% safe from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy is to abstain from sexual activity. Information in this blog was found from Think About It. ​

It is hard to believe that spring is here (literally). With the start of a new season means different fruits and vegetables are in season as well. As far as fruits and vegetables go, spring is considered to be March, April and May. When a fruit or vegetable is in season it means is at its peak of flavor or harvest. Not only will the flavor be optimal the price will be the cheapest. Next time you head out to the grocery store be sure to try some of the following items that are in season right now!

Remember, you can enjoy the taste of any fruit or vegetable year-round by using fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and 100% juice – it all counts!

We all get sick from time to time. Sometime it is just a minor cold – which is expected when living in this frozen tundra. Sometimes, however, it is the flu (AKA influenza) – a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is usually spread by people coughing and sneezing around you. The virus then becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby. You can also get the flu if you touch a contaminated surface like a phone or a doorknob and then touch your nose or mouth.

Adults are contagious one day before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill which means that you can spread the flu virus not even knowing that you are infected. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 5% and 20% of Americans get the flu each year.

So how do you know it is flu? The most common symptoms of the flu are:

– Fever: 100-102°F lasting 3-4 days

– Headaches

– Muscle or body aches

– Fatigue/weakness lasting 2-3 weeks

– Extreme exhaustion at onset of virus

– Chest discomfort and cough, especially if it becomes severe

– Rare: vomiting or diarrhea

– Occasional symptoms might include stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat. However, these symptoms are more likely to be the common cold rather than flu.

Complications of the flu can be life threatening, such as bacterial pneumonia, ear infection, sinus infection, dehydration, or worsening of chronic medical conditions like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die annually because of flu in the United States, according to NIH.

To avoid these unpleasant symptoms and terrible complications that can prevent you from studying and having social life, there are a couple of things you can do to recover faster:

1. Blow your nose often and right away: gently blow while plugging the other nostril to avoid irritation.

9. Stay at home and rest 24 hours AFTER a fever has broken: prevent the spread of the flu!

The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated early! Flu season usually starts in October and it takes about two weeks for the protective properties of the vaccine to take effect. By being vaccinated, you help your body to build antibodies to fight off the infection easier. To schedule your appointment, call Student Health at (701)777-4500.

Also, don’t forget to wash your hands, eat healthy, exercise, and clean your work space. It will greatly reduce your risk of getting the flu. Stay healthy and away from this virus!

Coming to the end of February means that National Nutrition Month is just around the corner. Every March is National Nutrition Month and every year UND celebrates March with many nutrition related activities. This year UND is offering a recipe contest, Student Iron Chef, Lunch and Learn, food drive, grocery bingo, and a wellness screening.

The Delicious and Nutritious Recipe Contest will be going on the majority of the month. The recipe submission deadline is March 21; to find out details about this event click on the following link.

Student Iron Chef Contest Semi-final dates of the competition are March 3rd and March 4th. The final competition will take place on March 11th. Groups of students will be creating a dish consisting of Alaskan Salmon, YUM.

A food drive will take place for the whole month of March. Non-perishable food items and personal care products are appreciated. Donation boxes will be placed throughout the campus.

Grocery Bingo will take place on March 28th at 9pm in the loading dock. It is free to all students and it’s a great way to win free groceries and meet students.

A lunch ‘N learn will be held on March 26th in Gamble Hall from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in room 225. This event is part of the Deans for wellness initiative; it is open to all staff, faculty, spouses and partners of the College of Business and Public Administration. You can RSVP to this email:

To begin, there is absolutely no safe form of tobacco. In fact, over 28 chemicals in smokeless tobacco have been found to cause different types of cancer including: oral, esophageal, and pancreatic (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2007). Along with cancer, smokeless tobacco can cause other diseases such as heart disease, gum disease, and leukoplakia (white patches in the mouth that are pre-cancerous) (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2007). If this is not enough to change your mind, consider the addictive power of nicotine. Nicotine stays in the blood longer for smokeless tobacco users than for smokers (National Cancer Institute, 2002).

Quitting smokeless tobacco is not an easy task, but it is one that may save your life. If you are in the beginning stages and unsure of what to do, try the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline (1-877-44U-QUIT) and speak to a cessation counselor about quitting smokeless tobacco use, or use the LiveHelp online chat which can be done through online texting. Both are completely confidential. Making a list of reasons to quit can also be helpful, along with setting a quit date. Get yourself ready and mentally psyched to follow through. Cutting back in the weeks before your quit date can be helpful. Try chewing on sunflower seeds, hard candies, or sugar-free gum when feeling the urge to chew. Before you reach your quit day, build up your support team. Let your family, friends, and coworkers know that you are quitting so they can continue to encourage you and give you support when you need it most. Celebrate your success. Make sure to celebrate each week, month, year, etc. without smokeless tobacco.

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Many of you will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th with a significant other or maybe just a friend. Instead of going for the candy this Valentine’s Day, indulge your sweetheart with a heart healthy gift or date.

During this time of year stores are filled with red, pink, and heart shaped candies in all flavors and sizes. If you cannot resist eating candy this Valentine’s Day, here is a candy that outshines the others when it comes to nutritional value. Dark Chocolate with 65% cocoa has been shown to have heart-helping flavanols when ate in moderation. So if you are looking for a candy fix look for the dark chocolate.

A few things to make this Valentine’s Day heart healthy include; cooking at home, getting a fruit basket, and portioning your treats.

Cooking at home is heart healthy because you can control the amount of food you eat. Another advantage is you can cut out sodium from recipes; swap spices for salt and avoid prepackaged seasonings. If cooking at home isn’t meant for you then remember to avoid fried foods, creamy sauces and gravies. Restaurants serve large portions; sharing an entree can control how much you eat.

Even though it is still winter you can bundle up and do something active such as sledding, ice skating, indoor Rockwall, or Northern Air. These are all great date ideas that get your heart racing. If you are sick of the cold like many of us are, checking out a local cooking class would be a great idea too. Culinary Corner in the Wellness center is offering DeLightful Desserts on Thursday February 13th from 8-9pm.

If you still don’t know what to do check out the sites below. They have lovely ideas to make sure your Valentine’s is sweet as can be.

Did you know that February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness day?

To help raise awareness of the day, UND Multicultural Center, Health & Wellness Hub, and Ten Percent Society are hosting a FREE HIV testing at the Loading Dock from 11am-2pm on February 7th, 2014.

All UND students, faculty, and staff are welcome to get tested for a virus that can show no symptoms for up to 10 years or more. No matter what race, gender, or sexual orientation you are, everyone can contract HIV/AIDS. HIV is primarily spread through unprotected sex and intravenous drug use. This virus attacks the body’s immune system and can lead to AIDS, the late stage of HIV infection, when a person’s immune system is severely damaged and has difficulty fighting diseases and certain cancers.

Did you know that every year in the United States, the Center for Disease Control will identify 50,000 new cases of HIV? Within these new cases, 39% of them are young adults ranging from the ages of 13 to 29. Getting tested is a great way to know your status and to keep yourself and others out of the statistics.

Along with the FREE HIV testing, there will also be FREE FOOD and a Q & A table for anyone who would like more information on HIV/AIDS to keep you busy while you are waiting for a quick 20 minute test result.

The Super Bowl is this Sunday February 2nd and many of us make it an excuse to eat a lot of snack food. The typical snack foods of the Super Bowl consists of; nachos, wings, chili, chips, dip, and much more. Here are some ways you can makeover these typical high calorie foods for this years Super Bowl.

When making chili or any other dish that calls for hamburger use lean ground turkey or lean ground sirloin. This substitution lowers the saturated fat content.

When making Nachos use pork tenderloin and bacon- studded beans. As for cheese you should use the fat-free kind. To make these nachos even more flavorful add salsa and chunks of avocado; this way you can skip the sour cream and cheese sauce.

When it comes to those tasty dips make sure you avoid the mayonnaise and cheese. Creamy dips that contain these ingredients usually have many hidden fats. A way to make a better dip for the Super Bowl is to puree white beans, onions, garlic, black beans, green chilies and parmesan cheese together. You can modify the dips to your liking too.

With Thanksgiving a little less than two weeks away I’m sure everyone has been thinking about all the delicious homemade foods they will be eating; I know I have.

Some things to remember on Thanksgiving to avoid the “turkey gut” are:

Don’t over indulge. This sounds like common sense but many people get caught up in the spirit of the holiday and the vast amounts of food that are set out in front of them. This doesn’t mean you can’t try everything that is set in front of you; it means to portion the foods you want to eat.

When portioning your plate remember the myplate visual guideline.

Don’t skip breakfast or lunch just because you are preparing to eat a large Thanksgiving meal. When you skip meals you starve your body.

Drink lots of water; many times people think they are hungry when infact they are actually thirsty.

Out of sight out of mind. After eating a Thanksgiving meal put away the food. When food is out of sight you are less likely to keep grazing on the food.

After your delicious Thanksgiving meal take a walk with all of your family and friends.

By following these tips it will help prevent the need to loosen the top button of your pants and prevent the “turkey gut”.